Eight Tips For Treating Acne On Skin Of Color
No matter your age, struggling with acne can be frustrating, embarrassing, and depressing. Furthermore, patients with certain complexions or skin tones may have more difficulty than others when it comes to finding an effective, reliable, long-lasting acne treatment regimen. Fortunately, the sweeping advances in medicine and technology now allow men and women of almost any age and skin color to achieve clearer, smoother, healthier skin. However, with the vast array of treatment options available, it is essential that patients seek the help of a qualified and experienced professional for acne relief.
The caring team of knowledgeable dermatologists, skin care experts, and licensed aestheticians at Dermatology Southeast fully understand the sensitive and discouraging nature of suffering from acne and are committed to helping patients of all skin tones find an effective treatment plan to achieve the complexion they’ve always wanted. Find out more about your acne treatment options in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, FL here, including how treating acne on skin of color may require a more unique approach.
What causes acne?
One of the most beneficial things you can do as you begin to learn about your acne treatment options is to understand what may be causing your acne in the first place. Technically, acne is caused by clogged pores that prevent the skin’s natural oils from escaping. This leads to a buildup of bacteria, which often results in infection, inflammation, or other processes under the surface, ultimately producing a blemish on the skin’s surface. These may include whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, pustules, papules, nodules, and others. The real culprit, however, lies in why the pores are becoming clogged to begin with. Some of the most common causes and risk factors for acne include:
- Puberty
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Hormonal changes
- Underlying condition
- Certain medications
- Steroids
- Poor hygiene
- Some makeups or facial products
- Genetics
- Stress
Once the probable cause of your acne has been identified, it is much easier to determine a treatment option that will be likely to help you. For example, behavioral modifications – such as substituting certain medications or getting hormone levels balanced – may be enough to improve some patients’ acne, while others may require more definitive acne treatment.
Can acne be treated on skin of color?
The breakthrough technologies available today make acne surface treatments possible, and safer than ever, for nearly every skin color and type. However, it is critical that these treatments and products are administered by a licensed and experienced professional, particularly on skin of color. Some men and women of certain ethnicities, including African-American, Native American, Asian, Middle Eastern, and others, can actually damage their skin if products or tools are used incorrectly. Furthermore, treatments often need to be custom-tailored to meet the specific skin care needs of these patients.
Treating acne means more than just treating the breakouts
Another consideration when it comes to treating acne on skin of color is that, oftentimes, the post-acne concerns are more compelling than the acne itself. For instance, many men and women of certain ethnicities develop more significant dark spots, discoloration, or scarring from acne breakouts when compared to patients with fairer skin tones. For this reason, it is essential to select an appropriate treatment plan and a provider that deeply understands the complex issues surrounding acne on skin of color. Our highly experienced skin care consultants and dermatologists in Jacksonville Beach, FL are extremely familiar with the unique characteristics of ethnic skin and can recommend a treatment plan to address the cause of the acne, the acne itself, and the resulting imperfections.
How to get rid of acne on dark skin
Use these eight helpful tips from our acne experts to say goodbye to your breakouts on darker skin and get the clear complexion you’ve always wanted:
1. Cleanse your face daily
2. Practice routine skin care
3. Make sure your makeup is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores
4. Evaluate your hair oils, and try to use something that is water or glycerin-based
5. Avoid using cocoa butter, which is known to cause acne
6. Wash bed sheets, hats, scarves, and headwear regularly
7. Seek evaluation by a qualified dermatologist to establish a regimen using medical-grade skin care products
8. Consider stronger treatments, including chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, and others, but be sure your provider is qualified, certified, and experienced in treating skin of color
Restore clear, beautiful, acne-free skin in Jacksonville, FL
Having acne can take a major toll on anyone, both physically and psychologically, and affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Don’t continue to struggle with acne breakouts or the dark spots and scars left behind. Call the welcoming team at either of Dermatology Southeast’s locations in Jacksonville or Jacksonville Beach, FL to schedule your comprehensive consultation with one of our expert providers. Using a wealth of knowledge and the most advanced and effective treatment options possible, we can help patients of any skin color bid farewell to acne and finally love looking in the mirror once again!